First of many....

Riding days with dad.

Landon wanted one thing for Christmas. Moto-X Gear. He was VERY specific. Blue, just like daddy. Pants, jersey, gloves, goggles, boots, and helmet. Blue..just like daddy. He must've been a pretty good boy this year because Santa happily granted him his wish and brought him all of the items on his list. (Minus the boots. Those he inherited from his sister, though he doesn't know that....)

He wears them around the house, constantly. Boots and all.

This past weekend, Scott was headed to Utah for a riding day. The girls and I stayed back at home doing our own fun things. Cleaning the house, eating....you know. (We did go to a movie though and that was really fun.)

Anyway, Scott loaded up his big bike and Landon's little 50, also inherited from Parker, and they hit the road. He said that Landon did great, did about four laps and then called it a day. Scott also said it was pretty cold. It is February after all.

When I asked Landon how it was he said, "I had jumps, Mommy."

I'm sure there are going to be many more jumps for him to hit and plenty more riding days with his daddy. And NOTHING would make Scott happier.

It's not ALWAYS Parker's special day....

Things have been a little centered around Parker lately. Pacie had a bit of a hard time a few days ago proclaiming, "Why is it always Parker's special day??" We had to reassure her that she too would have a special 8th birthday, a celebration for her baptism, etc., etc., etc.

So-just for her, here are some pics that we took one day because it was funny. She came out of my room wearing my favorite lounge around pants-just wearing them a bit differently than I do. Then she started doing a funny little dance in them that had Parker and me nearly in tears.

Oh, little Pacie. It's not Always about Parker. You brighten our days just as much as she does with your quick wit and your sweet soul.

Birthday Rewind

I know I'm doing things a little out of order-but I'm trying to get everything in so that when I do the next blog book/scrapbook, everything is included that I want to remember. And with the way my memory is going, if I don't write about it now....I won't remember what we did.

Parker's birthday was on a Tuesday-not so great on a school + dance day. But, despite that, we still tried to make it as happy as possible.

Her morning birthday request was Swedish Pancakes-what most people call Crepes.

She got a really cute outfit from G&G Taft and she wore her new shirt to school. It's still a little cold for the capri's that were included....

Scott wanted to get her something really special since it is her 8th b-day. He went and got her roses and balloons and took them to school when we took her birthday treats to her class. She was so excited and I'm not joking, they were the prettiest, longest lasting roses I've had in the house for a while!!

We let her miss the last hour of dance and let her choose where she wanted to go for her birthday dinner. Her criteria was "somewhere where I will get a free dessert". Red Robin it was. There was actually a giant red robin walking around the restaurant which Presley would have NOTHING to do with. She didn't care for him at all. The other kids thought it was great!

She thoroughly enjoyed her free ice cream dessert-as you can see. It really was the cherry on top!
We raced home and had Mamie & Gramps and Matt & Ashley over for presents and cake and ice cream. Parker was thrilled with her presents and her requests from us was a Selena Gomez barbie that has hypercolor clothing. It changes with warm/cold water. I was glad that even though she seems to be entering that "tween" stage all too quickly, that she still wanted a barbie doll. Matt & Ashley got her a super cute outfit and Mamie and Gramps got her a new church outfit, complete with new shoes. Parker got to go shopping all by herself with Mamie and had so much fun trying on a ton of dresses.

The other HIT of the night was days of the week socks. If I would've known how much she (and Pacie) both liked them, I would've bought them AGES ago! It makes me laugh that she likes them so much.

Her requested cake was a flower cake that was "purple and blue". So despite the colored tongues...and teeth in all of the present pictures, I'm glad that I was able to make our little 8 year old girl happy!!

She was intent on making these silly faces all night....so I'm putting one on here-just to show her that I will!!

Skating Queens

For part of Parker's 8th birthday request, she wanted to go roller skating. Her birthday was on a Tuesday-not the most celebratory day of the week. We did go to dinner that night and open some presents, but on Saturday, we met at Starlite Skating with our good friends the Hunsakers.

Starlite has been around since probably the 70's here in Idaho Falls. I have vivid memories of that blue floor, and psychedelic carpeting that is still in place. We weren't sure how the kids would do, seeing as they've never skated before. We weren't even sure that we were going to rent skates for Presley, but then decided to just to see how she did.

Turns out- Presley was the absolute Skating Queen! The first couple of times around the rink she held onto the bar and after that, she just went around-no assistance required thank you very much.

Landon on the other hand was like a living cartoon. He could not keep his feet underneath him. One of us had to hang onto him for life and limb. Once Scott tightened up his skates a bit-things were a bit better. But it was really really funny to watch him.

Pacie and Parker both did great. Pacie was a bit more timid but soon let go of the railing and was on her way helping her friend Brittany gather her courage to let go too. Parker didn't even bother with the railing and just took off on her own.

After we went to Craigo's for a quick dinner and just fun.

We will be going again I am sure-especially to tap into Presley's apparent skating talents!

Parker's Baptism Day

I know that I've said a lot about this day. It was everything I had ever hoped it would be for our little girl. She looked beautiful and just kept giggling and bouncing, almost like she didn't know how to contain her excitement! Scott gave her a beautiful confirmation blessing and we had so many loved ones there to support her. Thanks to everyone who made her day so special. There are a lot of pictures....just a warning. :)
Parker all in her white clothes.

Grandma and Grandpa Taft

Robbie, Christy, Haley, Peyton, Saylor, Paisley and Grady Taft
Our little bunch before the baptism.

Danny, Rachel, Niamh, Ryan, and Bergin Reilly

With Mamie just after getting bapized.
Daddy and Parker all in their whites.

Me and my sweet girl.

Parker with Mamie and Gramps
The Peterson Family

Kirk, Nancy, Whitney, Jenn, Sadie, Connor, Sophie, Doug, Rebekah, Brady

Bryce, Krystal, Bridger and Logan
Parker with some of her friends:

Pacie, Morgan, Shelby, Ilah, Olivia and Niamh
Me with Parker right after she was baptized and changed.

Great Grandma and Grandpa Andrus

Great Grandma and Grandpa Landon

Amy, Elle and Addison (Carter, Cannon and Kate were there also.)

Parker, Elle and Sadie

Parker and Haley
My family-Minus Matt & Ashley and Mitch and Sarah

(Matt & Ashley were there-but had to leave right after to go take a test.

We really missed Mitch and Sarah and their little ones as well.)
Tyler, Devri, Cooper, Paxton and Olivia Nulph
4-Generations. I am so thankful my grandparents could be there!
Tyler and Ashlee